100% of proceeds from Band Aid 30 will go to Ebola fight
Band Aid supremo Bob Geldof has said sales of the new charity single have been “manic” since it was launched.
Sales of the new version of Do They Know It’s Christmas, recorded specially to aid in the fight against Ebola, have been “extraordinary” since it went on sale at 8am on Monday.
Geldof said: “From what we've seen from iTunes it's gone bonkers. Within four or five minutes we had a million quid."
One Direction, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sande are among the stars who have re-recorded the song – 30 years after the groundbreaking original raised cash for and awareness of the famine in Ethipoia.
Money raised from the new version – which features changed lyrics – will go towards projects battling Ebola in west Africa.
The UK government has said it will waive VAT on sales, meaning 100% of proceeds will go to charity.
A video for the song was shown on ITV's The X Factor on Sunday.
The track is now available to download at a cost of 99p. A CD version, costing £4, will be released in three weeks.
Bookies have made it odds-on favourite to be Christmas number one.
Geldof added: "We really can stop this foul little plague.”
Band Aid 30 lyrics
It's Christmas time, and there's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and banish shade
And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
But say a prayer, pray for the other ones
At Christmas time, it's hard but while you're having fun
There's a world outside your window, and it's a world of dread and fear
Where a kiss of love can kill you, and there's death in every tear
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight we're reaching out and touching you
No peace and joy this Christmas in West Africa
The only hope they'll have is being alive
Where to comfort is to fear
Where to touch is to be scared
How can they know it's Christmas time at all
Here's to you
Raise a glass to everyone
And here's to them
And all their years to come
Let them know it's Christmas time after all
Feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time again
Feel the world, let them know it's Christmas time again
Heal the world, let them know it's Christmas time again
